Valve protecting cap for aerosoltype containers



Dec. 22, 1964 J. J. GREGORY 3,162,329

VALVE PROTECTING CAP FOR AEROSOL-TYPE CONTAINERS M51* w EN 1N V EN TOR.

Dec. 22, 1964 J. J. GREGORY 3,162,329

VALVE PROTECTING CAP FOR AEROSOL-TYPE CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 1l, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOSEPH J. GREGORY United States Patent Oiiiice 3,162,329 Patented Dec. 22, 1964 3,162,329 VALVE PROTECTENG CAP EUR AERQSL- TYPE CONTAEERS Joseph J. Gregory, Westchester, lll., assignor to Arne! lndustries, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation `of Illinois Filed `lan. 11, 1962,Ser. No. 165,637 Claims. (Cl. 222-182) This invention relates to aerosol-type dispensing containers and is more particularly .concerned with improvements in a protective cap for the dispensing valve of this type container.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 72,959, led December 1, 1960 and now abandoned.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a simple and eiiective cap for preventing accidental or unauthorized operation of the dispensing valve of an aerosol container after the container is lilled and during the handling and/or storage of the container prior to its use by a purchaser or other authorized user.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a protective cap for the valve assembly of an aerosoltype container which will provide an indication of unauthorized or accidental operation during the handling, shipment or storage of the container until it is delivered to an authorized user, the cap being so constructed and so mounted on the container that it may readily be removed and discarded when it is desired to dispense the contents of the container while the presence or absence of the cap on the container serves to indicate whether there may have been any tampering with or operation of the dispensing Valve.

It is a still more specific object of the invention to provide a cap forming member for an aerosol-type dispensing container having a valve assembly mounted in a supporting cap in the top of the container which comprises a dome-shaped body and a flange-like annular base to which the body is connected by readily breakable members with the base being adapted to be inserted within a recess in the supporting cup for the valve assembly and to remain in the recess when the body is twisted to free the same from the base and permit removal thereof so as to provide access to the spray head of the valve.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cap for temporarily covering and protecting the valve assembly on an aerosol-type dispensing container which comprises a tubular body closed at the top end and connected by peripherally spaced, frangible arms to a ringlike annular base member of larger diameter which is adapted to be seated in a recess in the supporting cup for the valve assembly and to remain therein when the body is separated therefrom by breaking the connecting arms.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a protective cap for the valve assembly of an aerosoltype dispensing container which comprises a tubular body closed at the top end and connected at the open bottom end by peripherally spaced frangible arms to a ring-like annular base member of larger diameter with the base member having its bottom edge spaced below the bottom edge of the body member so that when the base member is seated in the supporting cup for the valve assembly the body may be separated therefrom by applying sufficient downward force to break the connecting arms, thereby permitting the body to be discarded and providing access to the discharge head of the valve. f

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the preferred embodiments thereof comprising protector caps shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of an aerosol-type dispensing container having a cup supported valve assembly in the top of the container which is covered by a protective cap embodying the principal features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the cap which is shown in FIGURE 1 with portions of the dispensing container being shown in dotted lines; Y

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational View on an enlarged scale, of the cap with portions thereof broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2, with the top portion of the dispensing container being `shown partially in section and partially in elevation;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the top portion of an aerosol dispensing container having a cup supported valve assembly in the top which is covered by a modified form of the cap, the container having portions broken away;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the cap of FIG. 5 with portions of the dispensing container being shown; and

FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, with the top portion of the dispensing container being shown partially in section and partially in elevation.

Referring to FIGURES 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated an aerosol-type dispensing container 10 which is adapted for use in the marketing of liquid or semi-liquid products which are capable of being dispensed from the pressurized can body 11 through a dispensing valve assembly 12. The can body 11 is of a conventional type and is provided with a dome-shaped top 13 having a dispensing opening 14 in which a supporting cup 15 for the valve assembly 12 is mounted and forms a closure for the opening 14. The valve assembly cup 15 is secured on the peripheral ange 16 which surrounds the opening 14 by reversely turning the rim portion 17 of the cup 1S about the ange 16 and expanding the adjoining inner portion of the flange 16 so that a peripheral recess 1S is formed which extends about the bottom inside edge of the cup 15. The valve assembly 12 is mounted in an upstanding housing 19 in the center of the cup 15 and includes a discharge head or button 20 which projects above the same and which is adapted to be operated by downward pressure on the top surface thereof. Since other details of the valve mechanism are well known and do not yconstitute a part of the present invention, they are not illustrated.

The portions of the valve assembly 12 which project above the base of the mounting cup 1S are normally covered by a tubular or cup-shaped cover or cap, such as indicated at 21. The cover 21 is customarily made so. that it is frictionally held on the outside periphery of the reversely turned ange 17 and isoreadily removable? so that it may be replaced when the dispenser is not in use. Consequently, the cover 21 does not provide any indication of any tampering with or unauthorized operation of the discharge member 20 of the valve assembly 12.

The protective cap 22, which is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is provided for temporarily protecting the valve disch-arge member or push button spray head 2t) against accidental or unauthorized operation prior to the intentional operation of the valve by the authorized user.

The protective cap 22 is preferably formed of a transparent plastic material such as methylmethacrylate, polystyrene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile or other suitable plastic having similar characteristics. It is molded or otherwise formed to provide a cylindrical bell-shaped body portion 23 having a closed top end wall 24 and having von its outside periphery withr a seriesV ofspaced buttonlike projectionsj2'7'. The exterior diameter ofthe mount-jr,

ingyring 25ar'1dtl1el minimum internal diameter of the f valve mountingcup bear such a relationthat the ring 2S, may be forced; with a snaprlike action, into the recess 18,'.at the base. of` the cup.15 so as to be retained therein and to resist removal'by forces applied to the body 23 of'the cap;y The plastic materialfrom which protective cap 22 isformed also is sufficiently resilient to permit this.

Thefcap 22;is applied .to the container 10 .after the fill# ingand` closing ofthe containerlwith .the `product which it is adapted to contain. The ring-like base 25" of the cap 22 issnapped into the recess 18 of the cup 15 and projecting valvedischarge member V and prevents operationof thesame so longrasthe cap 22 is in position. Y

This prevents unauthorized or accidental use ofv the discharge member 20from the filling of the container until it reaches the authorized user. When access to the valve dischargermember 20 is desired for dispensing the contentsrof the container 10, the body portion 23 ofthe cap 22 is freed from the base ringV 25 by breaking the connecting members 26 through the application of a twisting force on the body portion 23; The body portion may then be discarded, leaving the mounting ring V25 seated inthe valve cup 15 `with the valve discharge mem-l b'er 20 accessible for use. The presence or absence of the body, portion 23 of' the cap22; can be readily observed upon an inspection of the can and'this provides an indicator for a prospective purchaser to judge the prob-v able conditionV of Vthe contentsbf the can 10. Withthe cap body 2 3in,valve covering position on the can 10: the user is assuredv that thev dispensing valve has not been tampered with or accidentally operated so as to deplete the supplyl of the product in the container.v Absence of the cap body, 23 from theA can andthe presence thereon of the ring 25'provides an indicationkthat unauthorized; or accidental .operation of thevalve dischargemember 20 may have occurred.V

In FIGURES 5vk to 7 an aerosol-type dispensing container'is shown which isu generally of the sameconstruction as the previously described container 10 with theelements thereof being identified bythe same numerals primed; The.container-V10V comprisesabody 11 and a ale assembly 12 mounted in the dome-shaped top 13' which hasa 'dispensingopening'14f with a supporting cup r15fseated therein `forl receiving the-valve assembly 127.; Thesupportng cup l'fissecuredon the peripheralange t lsurroundingthe opening 14 Vby reversely turning the rim portion 1'7"`v ofthe .cup 15 ,^about'the flange 16 andl expanding theinner portion ofthe ange 16 so that a 4 which is substantiallyless than the inside diameter of the valve mounting cup 15- and greater than the valve housing 19. The body portion 31 is connected at its bottom edge to an annular mounting ring 33 by a series of peripherally spaced, frangible or readily breakable, radially extending arm members 34. The lower edge 35 of the mounting ring 'extends' a predetermined distance below the lower edge or bottom face 36 of the body portion 31. The frangible arm members 34 have their bottom faces in the plane of the bottom face of the body lportion and extend to cut-out slots 37 Viny the lower margin of the mounting ring 33. The mounting ring 33 is pro- .videdonA its outside surface with -aseries of peripherally aligned radially with the frangible arms 34.

spaced button-like projections 38' which are disposed intermediatejthe top and bottom edges.v Itv is also provided with rib-like projections 39 which extend substantiallyfthe full depth of the ring 33 and whichare These projections reinforce the connection of the arms '34 with the ring 33 and also aid in holding the ring 33 in the cup 15'; YThe exterior diameter of the mounting Iring 33 and f the minimum internal diameter ofthe valve mounting cup 15 bear sucharelationv that the ring 33 may be `the body portion 23 of the vcap covers the upwardly i:

forced, with a snap-like action into the cup 15 with the projections V38. disposed `in the recess 18' at the base of the cup 15 Vso asf. to `retain the. ring 33 therein and resist removal yby Vforces applied to the body portion 31 of the cap 30. The projections 38 are spaced peripherally I `on the ring 33`between`th'e projections 39v and the latter [cause the ring to bow outwardly in the areas between them when the ring 33 is seated in the cup 15. which re'- sults in the projections 38 being urged against the flange 17 and helps to hold them seated in the recess' 18'.

` The cup 30 is appliedto the container 10' after the lilling and closing ofthe container. The ring-like base 33 of the cap is snapped intothe recess 18V of the cup 15 and the ybody portion31 covers the valve discharge member 2,0 aindprevents` operation of the same so long as the cap 30( is in position. When access to the valve discharge member y20 is. desired for dispensingthe con-` tents forA the container 10', the body portion 31 ofthe cap,`3! -isffreed from thefbase ring 33 by breaking the connectingA arm members 34. This may be accomplished by downward pressure on the body portion 31y in the direction ofv its axis, the b ody portion 3J. beingr'free to Vmove inthe` axial direction ywhen the arm members 34 are i l members 34Jand free the body portion31 so that it may peripheral'recess 18is'forme`d which extendsv about v.thev

Thevprotective cap 30,' which is formed` of a trans b'e removedand discarded. The'breaking of they arm members 34 may, ofcoursegbe accomplishedby a twisting force applied to the body portion 31'as described with reference to the cap 2 2.

'Y l VVYhile particular detailsY ofl construction and specific materials aregreferred vto in describing' the illustrated embodiments of thevprotective cap, it will'be understood that different details of construction and otherl materials may be resortedy to within the spirit of the invention.

Lelatim: f f 1. A protective cap for an aerosol-type dispensing container, which container is characterized by a body memparent plastic, material such as described for thecapv dricalebell-shaped body portion 31 having a-clos'ed top ber .having a dispensing opening in a wall thereof with a valve assembly supported in saidopening by a closure of cup-like shape which opens-upwardly and is provided with an inwardly facing annular recess, in its outside wall, saidprotective vcap being formed of? transparent plastic material 'and comprising a tubular valve. covering v`body sectionwithan integral closure at one end thereof, a tubular tbase'section of substantially less height than the bodysectionandhaving an. internal diameter somewhat greaterthan the external diameter at the edge of the open end of said body lsection and peripherally spaced,

readily breakable members connecting the open end of said body section with said base section, said body section extending into said base section radially spaced from said base section and having its open bottom end spaced above the bottom end vof the base section, said base section being constructed and arranged so that it may be' seated in said recess, bottomed within said closure and retained therein frictionally engaged with the inner annularsuri face of said outside wall While an axially directed force is applied to the body section to break said connecting members and free said body section whereby said body section may be removed and discharded thereby providing access to said valve.

l2. A protective cap for an aerosol-type dispensing containeir, which container is characterized by a body member having a dispensing opening in a wall thereof with a valve assembly supported in said opening by a closure of cup-like shape which opens upwardly and is provided with an inwardly facing annular recess in the wall delining said dispensing opening, said protective cap being formed of transparent plastic material having substantial brittleness and comprisng a dome-like valve covering member, a mounting ring in the form of a tubular section of substantially less height than said valve covering member and having an internal diameter greater than the vexternal diameter at the edge of the open end of said valve covering member said open end extending within the mounting ring, and peripherally spaced radial bridging members extending between the open end of said valve covering member and said mounting ring, the open edge of said valve covering member and said radial bridging members terminating short of the bottom edge of said mounting ring, said mounting ring bottoming within said closure and having an external diameter permitting it to be seated in said recess and means for frictionally engaging the facing inner surface of said outside wall for retaining the ring therein while suflicient force is applied to the valve covering member in the axial direction to break said radial bridging members and free said valve covering member so that it may be removed and discarded thereby providing access to said valve.

3. A protective cap for an aerosol-type dispensing container which container is characterized by a body member having a dispensing opening in a wall thereof with a valve assembly supported in said opening by a closure of cup-like shape which opens upwardly and is provided with an inwardly facing annular recess in the wall defining said opening, said cap being formed of transparent plastic material and comprising a tubular valve covering body section which is closed at one end thereof, a mounting base of ring-like section having less height than the body section and having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter at the edge of the open end of said body section, said base section bottoming within said closure, and peripherally spaced radial arm members connecting the open end of said body section with said base section, which arm members are of relative small cross section so as to be readily broken when substantial pressure is applied to said body section in the direction of the base section, said body section having the face thereof at its open end extending into said base section radially spaced therefrom and spaced above the face of the base section at the corresponding end thereof, said base section being constructed with peripherally spaced external projections so that it may be seated in said recess and retained therein when axial pressure is applied to the body section to break said connecting arm members and free said body section whereby said body section may be removed and discarded thereby providing access to said valve.

4. A protective cap for an aerosol-type metal container, the container being of the construction which includes an upwardly opening cup-shaped top closure having a central protruding discharge member and the top closure having an annular upstanding rim spaced from said discharge member with the discharge member inside of said rim, the protective cap adapted -to be disposed in the space within the rim to protect the discharge member, said cap having at least one portion thereof bottoming within said top closure, comprising a bell-shaped body portion closed at its top end and open at its bottom end and adapted to surround the discharge member, an annular base member concentrically arranged outside of the bell-shaped body portion and connected to the marginal edge of the open bottom end of said bell-shaped body portion only by a plurality of frangible circumferentially spaced apart arms, said open end disposed within said base member, said base member having means on exterior surface portions thereof adapted permanently to mount the same into the top closure engaged with the inside circumferential surface of said rim, whereby a force may be applied to said bell-shaped body portion to break said arms and enable removal of said body portion, so as to permit access to said discharge member, and said bell-shaped body portion having its bottom end spaced above the bottom end of the base member so that a downwardly directed force applied to said body portion will fracture said arms to permit separation of the body portion from the base member.

5. The combination of an aerosol-type container having the upper cup-shaped closure with an upstanding central dispensing valve with an indicator cap for protecting said dispensing valve from accidental or unauthorized use, said cap being formed of a plastic material which is relatively brittle, said cap having at least one portion thereof bottoming within said closure comprising a base in the form of a tubular section of relatively small cross section and having means on the external wall thereof adapted to frictionally engage with the interior wall portions of said closure of the container which deline an inwardly facing annular recess extending around the dispensing valve, a dome-shaped body having its lower margins extending within said base and a plurality of circumferentially spaced frangible arms connecting the body and the base, said body being of a size suiicient to cover said dispensing valve and being adapted to be broken free of said base so as to permit its removal from said closure to provide access to the dispensing valve for authorized use thereof, the lower end of the base being axially spaced from the lower end of the body such that the body in turn is spaced above the bottom of the closure, whereby axial pressure upon the top of the body downward will break said arms to free said body.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION December 22\l 1964 Patent'No, 312329 JO'GVI J, Gregory gem EK@ mari new,

Column 3 line 55 :for "ale" read 'llne I@ for "dlscharded" read discarded line ZQUmOV Comprlsng" read comprising -o a u Signed and Sealed this 27th day of April 1965. 

1. A PROTECTIVE CAP FOR AN AEROSOL-TYPE DISPENSING CONTAINER, WHICH CONTAINER IS CHARACTERIZED BY A BODY MEMBER HAVING A DISPENSING OPENING IN A WALL THEREOF WITH A VALVE ASSEMBLY SUPPORTED IN SAID OPENING BY A CLOSURE OF CUP-LIKE SHAPE WHICH OPENS UPWARDLY AND IS PROVIDED WITH AN INWARDLY FACING ANNULAR RECESS IN ITS OUTSIDE WALL, SAID PROTECTIVE CAP BEING FORMED OF TRANSPARENT PLASTIC MATERIAL AND COMPRISING A TUBULAR VALVE COVERING BODY SECTION WITH AN INTEGRAL CLOSURE AT ONE END THEREOF, A TUBULAR BASE SECTION OF SUBSTANTIALLY LESS HEIGHT THAN THE BODY SECTION AND HAVING AN INTERNAL DIAMETER SOMEWHAT GREATER THAN THE EXTERNAL DIAMETER AT THE EDGE OF THE OPEN END OF SAID BODY SECTION AND PERIPHERALLY SPACED READILY BREAKABLE MEMBERS CONNECTING THE OPEN END OF SAID BODY SECTION WITH SAID BASE SECTION, SAID BODY SECTION EXTENDING INTO SAID BASE SECTION RADIALLY SPACED FROM SAID BASE SECTION AND HAVING ITS OPEN BOTTOM END SPACED ABOVE THE BOTTOM END OF THE BASE SECTION, SAID BASE SECTION BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED SO THAT IT MAY BE SEATED IN SAID RECESS, BOTTOMED WITHIN SAID CLOSURE AND RETAINED THEREIN FRICTIONALLY ENGAGED WITH THE INNER ANNULAR SURFACE OF SAID OUTSIDE WALL WHILE AN AXIALLY DIRECTED FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE BODY SECTION TO BREAK SAID CONNECTING MEMBERS AND FREE SAID BODY SECTION WHEREBY SAID BODY SECTION MAY BE REMOVED AND DISCHARDED THEREBY PROVIDING ACCESS TO SAID VALVE. 